Biolite's upgraded CampStove saves some energy for later

Almost seven years after introducing a clever wooden stove that generates its own power, BioLite has given its low-emission campsite cooker a makeover. The CampStove 2 also runs purely on wood, but features an onboard battery to save power for a later date and an LED display so you know when to add more fuel to the fire.

Like the original, the Campstove 2 captures wasted heat energy from the fire and turns it into electricity through a thermoelectric generator. The original produced power that could be used on the spot to charge your gadgets, but BioLite is giving users the ability to use this energy after the fire fizzles out by integrating a 2,600 mAh battery.

This can be charged via Micro USB before you head out into the wilderness for a head start, but BioLite says it has also improved the fire-electricity output of the CampStove by upgrading the thermoelectrics to provide 3 W of continuous power.

The company has also added a new LED dashboard that displays the available power, the strength of the fire inside and the internal fan levels in real-time. The number of fan speeds has also doubled from two to four, allowing you to more precisely control your fire.

Despite the addition of a hefty battery pack, the CampStove 2 weighs the same as its predecessor, a very manageable 2.06 lbs (935g). It also carries the same price tag of US$130 and can be hooked up to BioLite's KettlePot and Portable Grill. The CampStove 2 is available now through BioLite's website, and you can check out the promo video below.